Heller Ehrman has appointed Ken Kirschner, the chair of its labour and employment group, as the firm’s new head of New York.

Kirschner takes over from Joe McLaughlin, the litigation partner who has been office managing shareholder of New York since 2003, on 1 January 2008.

Kirschner only joined Heller in early 2006 from Kelley Drye & Warren but has since been an active member of the New York office management committee.

Heller chairman Matt Larrabee, who made the appointment, said Kirschner was “highly respected” at the firm and well known in the New York business and legal communities.

“He has the leadership qualities necessary to help the firm build on our success in New York, and we are delighted to welcome him into his new role,” Larrabee added. Kirschner will continue to serve as firmwide chair of Heller’s labour and employment group.

McLaughlin’s term as chairman of the New York office expires at the end of 2007. He will retire from the partnership in the New Year but will be retained as a consultant.

Larrabee said McLaughlin’s “tremendous leadership and commitment” had been instrumental to the success of Heller’s New York office.